One of my favorite times is Thanksgiving… an easy menu, family, and how I love to set the tables and enjoy the fall flowers. I am in the thick of planting winter containers and picking up outdoor greens, birch branches, magnolia leaves, and various fun additions to use… but I can never pass all those gorgeous indoor flowers!

Yes, I am in a bit of heaven surrounded by gorgeous colors and a wide variety of blooms in the cold flower case, so I had to purchase a few beautiful stems to play with.

I picked gorgeous Hydrangea, Cherry Brandy Roses, an amazing hot pink Peony (my favorite!), a soft purple Queen Anne’s lace, pink and orange Ranunculus, Allium spray (that is called pink but is more purple in color), and a variety of Berzelia, which I also like to use outdoors.

I opted to use three birch bark covered containers that I also purchased at LD Trading Co, in Northbrook, IL. I have two tables to dress so I put a rectangular container on the smaller table and the two squares on the larger table of 12 with various votives and candles.

I always like to bring out all my good and also playful dishes, as a crowd of 20 requires me to use most all dishware. I prefer to use placemats and runners rather than table cloths because I like the look. I found these fun paper place mats at Gethsemene Garden Center in Andersonville called “kitchen papers”. This design is “Archival Floral”.

You can have as much fun with the flowers at the grocery store, just make sure to mix them up and choose a color palette that works for your fall thanksgiving table. You can use ball jars, old various sized vases, pitchers for your containers, get creative and enjoy the process!

These tables are set for a festive holiday meal and all the items can be found at Material Possessions in Winnetka or Chicago, IL. Mixing and Matching your dishes, pretty napkins, and place mats are all the little details that make a table inviting! Of course a wonderful meal will also help!

Fall us here and it’s time to dress your tables with fall colors, pumpkins, and bittersweet. You can find these wonderful dishes, napkins, and placemats at Material Possessions in Winnetka and Chicago. IL.

I was invited to speak to the Bannockburn Garden Club this week. It was such a lovely group of women. I feel at home with people who love to garden and cook. Many of these women live a few blocks from me but we have never met. It is always a gift to get to meet your neighbors especially those that share your interests. I live in Deerfield so I’m just a block away from joining this great group of women on their yearly adventures relating to gardening.

We spent our time discussing recipes that worked with our end of season vegetables. I made Gazpacho filled with tomatoes, cucumbers, and a variety of peppers, served in mason jars. We discussed table dressing… a favorite accent to entertaining. I brought three fun settings for this amazing kitchen that’s accented in red. I hope to get some recipes promised and I am so fortunate to have met all these women.

A special thanks to Joanne, who is a gracious host and has one of my favorite kitchens.

Another beautiful table courtesy of Material Possessions in Winnetka & Chicago, IL. Pretty in pink with crisp white plates and crystal and silver accents… just like a great summer outfit with the perfect jewelry. Have fun with your table!